By Andrea Kurth, former CDTC Gateway Community Program Manager
As the Gateway Community Program Manager at the Continental Divide Trail Coalition, I spend much of my year traveling to the 19 Continental Divide Trail Gateway Communities. While each community assuredly has its own unique personality and flair, they share many attributes. CDT Gateway Communities are all situated in beautiful natural landscapes along the Divide, and this natural beauty attracts plenty of artisans, artists, and musicians, whose works are inspired by the public lands surrounding town. This results in CDT Gateway Communities often possessing a “quirky” and artsy flair which I think just adds
to their charm and allure. The natural landscape, the history borne unto that landscape, and the mix of people from retirees to young families, and those who have lived there for generations to transplants, makes for a delighting ambiance that you just must experience for yourself.
In many of the CDT Gateway Communities, downtown murals each community’s unique culture, landscape, and identity. Murals also often highlight natural resources like the CDT, flora and fauna, and unique landmarks. If you’ve never been to a Gateway Community before, what are you waiting for? Find out more about the 19 CDT Gateway Communities and plan your trip at continentaldividetrail.org/cdt-gateway-communities.
While you’re waiting, check out these unique murals from some of the communities along the Divide. Or, better yet, get a preview and see if you can spot these works of art in your next trip along.
Photo by Stephanie Snyder
This mural in Chama, NM, commemorates the elk calving grounds of the South San Juan Mountains. Witness the high alpine habitat during a ride on the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad from May to October.
Photo by Cary Beam
Cabezon Peak is a quintessential natural landmark in Cuba, NM, in an area on the CDT known for its high mesas and expansive skies.
Photo by Neely Hatchel
Arrow-circle-up A Lance Whitner mural in Steamboat Springs, CO, displays the colorful whimsy of aspen forests found along the Divide.
Photo by Hannah Guilford
The highest city in the country features a unique festival every March, which this mural commemorates. Watch skiiers hold on as rodeo horses direct them over eight-foot jumps made of snow piled on Leadville’s mainstreet – Harrison Avenue
Photo by Andrea Kurth
Thru-hikers pose with a mural in downtown Silver City, NM, which features local fauna.
Photo by L Fisher
The Montana Women’s Mural in Helena, MT wasdesigned by Anne Appleby to unite Helenans from all walks of life. Appleby taught local young women about the mural design process while researching, planning, and completing the art installation.
In 2018, the students of the Aldo Leopold Charter School in Silver City, NM, embarked on a unique project to celebrate their status as a CDT Gateway Community. Here, they can be seen installing a mosaic at the Silver City Visitor Center.
Andrea Kurth manages Colorado’s Outdoor Equity Grant Program. During her free time, you can find Andrea exploring the mountains, digging her car out of the snow to go skiing, flying to different continents, and baking apple crisp.
